I started at KM 40.3 , up and back down in the day. I started at sunrise and the colors were incredible. Coming back down it was interesting to see the contrast in colors of the same terrain. All in all, it was an amazing hike and the weather was perfect. At the summit it was so clear (and no wind!!) I had views on the 4 other islands, just beautiful!

I spent the night in the refuge (very confortable and very clean, very good service there as well). Still some snow on the mountain but not on the trail. sleepi_ng at the refuge make it simplier to arrive early on the top.

The cable car attracts many people to climb the peak (with permits) but in case of winds, it doesnt' work, so if working next day, the situation can turn to be a bit messy with people having permits from previous days trying to climb the last 150 m , though this should normally not be a problem. The basic rule is simple, if you climb the last 150m before 9 am or after 5 pm no permit is required. If planing to climb between 9 am and 5 pm, then you need a permit. Since the refuge is very high (3260m) one should normally if leaving early arrive before 9 am at 3550m where the final climb starts, but if you want yo be more secure you can also book a permit before say for 9 am - 11 am or 11 am - 1 pm. (You can get a coffee at refuge from a machine).

If starting from Montana blanca you can for sure save time and preserve your knees using the cable car for a quick trip going down but then need to walk (carefully) on the road to access parking from where you start (or hitchhike). Be careful when walking on the road.

It can be tricky to park you car at Montana blanca trail head since parking space is quite limited, but you should normally be able to manage it.

Started from Roques de Garcia and went up via Pico Veijo. They had opened the trail to the summit of Teide the day before, so this time I could also climb the final steps to the summit. Reached it in short of 4 hours. Superb views to all of Tenerife and I could even see to Hierro 140 km away! Both trails leading down from the Rambletta were officially closed, so I took the cable car down.

Hiked up from the Montana Blanca parking lot. There were still some patches of snow, so I missed the trail to M. Blanca. Views were great and Gran Canaria easily visible. The hike went well until I after 3 hours reached the entry for the final climb at the Rambletta. I had a permit, but the guards wouldn't lot my ascent due to "ice and snow". I could see the Whole route. There were only minor sections with a Little snow. That pissed me off. It is ok that they don't let people in flip flops and shorts ascend, but prepared hikers should be allowed. Both paths leadingn Down were officially closed (included the one I cam eup by), so I was forced to the cable car Down.

Third attempt at Spains highest mountain, first time with permit. We did the tour from Parador Nacional along the road to the Teide trailhead, up the normal route, down to Pico Viejo and back to Parador. 12h, 26km, 1700m elevation. The premit wasn't checked since it was New Years Day and the cable-car didn't run.

It was part of my 6 days trekking at Tenerife (carrying 9 litres of water), I chose trail 23 Los Regatones Negros. Half an hour after start I couldn't find where the trail continue and it started to be difficult ascent on VERY loose lava stones. I had to find place to sleep there too. After getting to 3500 m I was just dissapointed by crowds and had to wait until the last cable car left so I could go to the peak without permit. Nice views! Descent by normal route was really quick.

Teide National Park is absolutely fantastic! Summited in fact on the second attempt. The first hike was close to an epic. Started in the afternoon on Trail Nr. 7 to the Altavista hut. The hut was closed, and so was the winter shelter. The access from the hut to the top was officially closed too as the flanks were covered with hard ice! Scrambled further to La Rambleta. It took too much time because of the ice. By that time sun was setting and the views were incredibly beautiful. But it was too late to continue to the summit. Didn't want to go back in darkness over the ice either, so continued towards Pico Viejo (that path was closed too, and covered by ice, but not that bad as the part above the hut). The path disappeared under the ice cover after having walked about 15-20 min and by that time it was completely dark. Continued straight down along a huge and steep lava flow which finally exited on the park road TF-21. Navigated by the lights of the Parador hotel. The round trip took 12 hours. A day later did it the official way - a permit and a cable car. Quite a few fumaroles and strong sulfur smell in the crater.

Kessler, Shaylee, Kimberly and I originally planned to walk all the way up Teide and ride the cable car down, but we got a late start and there was no way we could complete the route on time. We actually rode the cable car most of the way up before heading up and back down the trail. It was a very windy and cold day (but not as windy as the day before), but it was clear and with good views. We walked down the trail after taking all the side trips to the various overlooks. The trail down through the pumice was rather slippery and the kids fell a few times.

Kessler and I also took a side trip to Monte Blanco for some more fine views. From the parking lot, Kessler and Kimberly got a ride back to the cable car station with some college girls from England.

Summit done it from El Portillo using a round trip: trails 1+6+7+summit then back from the summit + 7 + 6 +1 trail. 22 kms and 2000 mts gain in 11 hours. Using this trails permission is not necesary... But anyway permissions is not necesary if you climb the summit between 6 pm - 9 pm.